Vaclav Havel, Former Czech President and Dissident, Dies at 75

Prague, Czech Republic - December 18, 2011

Vaclav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic and a leading figure in the Velvet Revolution that toppled communism in Czechoslovakia, died Sunday at the age of 75. Havel had been in poor health for several years and had been hospitalized in recent weeks with respiratory problems.

Havel's Legacy

Havel was a playwright, essayist, and human rights activist before he became president in 1989. He was a leading member of the Charter 77 movement, which called for an end to communist rule in Czechoslovakia. Havel was arrested and imprisoned several times for his dissident activities. After the Velvet Revolution, Havel was elected president of Czechoslovakia and served in that role until the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Havel was then elected president of the Czech Republic and served until 2003.

Havel was a respected figure on the international stage and was known for his commitment to human rights and democracy. He was a close friend of former US President Bill Clinton and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Havel was also a recipient of the Charlemagne Prize, the highest honor awarded by the European Union.

Reaction to Havel's Death

The news of Havel's death was met with sadness and mourning around the world. Czech President Milos Zeman said that Havel was "a great man who will be deeply missed." Former US President Bill Clinton said that Havel was "a true hero for freedom and democracy." German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Havel was "a symbol of hope and courage for people around the world."

Havel's funeral will be held in Prague on Friday, December 23. He will be buried in the Vysehrad Cemetery, next to other Czech luminaries such as former President Tomas Masaryk and writer Karel Capek.